MSHA Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) Washington, D.C.

The Michigan Mine Safety Training Program provides annual refresher training, new miner training, newly employed experienced miner training, independent contractor training, and American Red Cross Standard First Aid training to Michigan mining operations that do not have personnel or facilities to carry out federal compliance requirements. Additionally, the Michigan Mine Safety Training Program fills an important niche in the education of mining engineering students in the areas of mine safety and health. Students have on-campus access to newsletters and training materials from the Michigan States Grants MSHA Training Program and an extensive video library for their mine safety and health training courses.

Under contract from the Bureau of Safety and Regulation, Michigan Department of Consumer and Industry Services; Michigan Technological University develops and conducts safety and health training programs for instructors and miners in Michigan in conformity with the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, PL 95 164. At Michigan Technological University, the program was previously administered in the Department of Public Services and Professional Development. On August 3, 1994, the program was moved to and is now administered by the Mining Engineering Department.

The purpose of the program is to eliminate fatal injuries and reduce the frequency of accidents and severity of injuries. The overall objective of the program is to ensure that 6,300 miners in the 435 permitted mining operations in Michigan have the opportunity to be effectively trained in matters affecting their safety and health. During the past year, more than 2,500 lost time workdays were charged to Michigan mining operations. More than half of the total was attributed to injuries classified as overexertion and/or back injuries. The need to improve safety and health in mines in Michigan is apparent.

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Michigan Underground Abandoned Mine Inventory Project

Under the direction of the Mineral Technology Research Group of the Michigan Tech Mining Engineering Department, researchers and students worked on a project to produce an inventory of the abandoned underground metallic mines in Michigan. Over 800 mines were identified and over 2,000 shafts cataloged. Field inspections prioritized over 130 shafts, openings or cave-ins that needed attention.
Michigan Abandoned Mine Inventory

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For any questions about abandoned mines in Michigan or if you find a newly caved-in area: Consult your local county mine inspector.

The Mining Engineering Department at Michigan Tech participates in educational programs targeted toward K-12 students. Several major objectives are addressed through outreach activities, including helping students, teachers and the general public understand the significance of mineral resources and the need for mining; teaching the fundamentals of mineral exploration, extraction and processing; and emphasizing the role of earth science, engineering and technology in providing the raw materials necessary for sustaining our standard of living are emphasized. Career opportunities in mining and related disciplines are offered to students as well, in order that young students are not only aware of the options available to them, but to encourage academic choices in math and science that provide optimum background and flexibility as they narrow their focus in later years.

Outreach activities are often cooperative efforts between the Mining Department and other departments at Michigan Tech, government agencies, and the minerals industry. Mining faculty, staff, and students are involved in a wide variety of programs each year. Most of the programs are focused on the local geographic area, although cooperative activities with other organizations have broadened this range to include much of the Upper Midwest.

Click here for more information on the Institute of Materials Processing

The Seaman Mineral Museum maintains collection of minerals from Michigan's Upper Peninsula as well as conserve and exhibit premier specimens of natural crystals, minerals, and ores from around the world. The museum engages in all the functions of a legitimate public museum, including education, research, and public service. Its scientifically valuable collection and outreach program complement the regular University academic programs and provide research support for university, national, and international earth scientists.

A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum: Click here for more information

Other Sites:

Michigan Mining History Sites: List of Links